Luka Doncic Breaks Silence Days After Ugly Split Rumors With ex-Teammate Grant Williams Went Viral

Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks have now won 9 of their last 10 games. Their latest feat comes through Charlotte Hornets, facing Luka’s ex-teammate, Grant Williams. While the Hornets’ wing has labeled the Mavs as championship contenders this season, he has developed a contrasting repertoire in fans’ eyes. Rumor has it that an in-game scuffle between Doncic and Williams during a team scrimmage led to Williams’ trade near this season’s deadline.

So, when the two teams faced off for the first time since early February, Luka was probed on his sentiments of watching Williams don another jersey. Doncic immediately bashed their alleged drift, saying, “Grant is a great guy. We have a great relationship outside. Some people say we don’t but we have.”

Despite losing his teammate to a trade, Doncic understands the complications of being a professional. With that, he commended the Dallas Mavericks office for adding PJ Washington. The power forward has turned out to be defensive menace for the Mavericks. His presence in Dallas’ starting lineup plays a huge role in making them one of toughest defensive team since All-Star break. As a result, Dallas, with the win over PJ’s ex-home squad, are 20-7 with Washington in the lineup.

For Williams, facing Boston Celtics can fuel up more emotions than Dallas. Afterall, he was teamed up with Luka for nearly half of a season, coming from 4 lengthy years with the C’s. Regardless, Williams claimed, “I’m thankful just to be with this team. I love the guys,” before hosting the Mavs. With that, it seems like the sudden breakup, Williams and Doncic harbor nothing but respect for each other. And about the rumors, it seems like it was just Grant’s way of motivating his teammates.

What happened between Luka Doncic and Grant Williams?

“One of the ways that Grant Williams rubbed people the wrong way, the yap, yap, yapping,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon delved on the possible reason for Dallas’ unprecedented trade for Grant. In the same light, Patrick Beverly and Michael Finley (Mavs assistant GM) have spoken about a particular incident.

It revolves around a team scrimmage, where Grant Williams went to extreme lengths to get under Doncic’s skin during a practice game. Grant believed that Luka was not ready for the scrimmage, and began talking trash to the superstar. So in response, “Luka went on a 26-6 run by himself,” Finley shares.

While fans have lauded the story as the biggest reason in Grant’s trade, MacMohan caressed another, more practical, reason. The reporter claimed, “he [Grant] didn’t report in good shape. And Grant Williams not in good shape is not a good defender,” hinting at Dallas’ possible concerns.

Read More – 2024 MVP: Luka Doncic Snubbed From Raging Debate by NBA Legend, Despite Record-Breaking Feat